Quick answer
In Madrid lunch is between 1:30 and 3:30 pm (many kitchens close around 4 pm) and dinner is between 9:00 and 10:30 pm. The menú del día is a fixed-price meal with a first course, a main, dessert or coffee and a drink, served mostly at lunchtime on weekdays.
Typical meal times in Madrid
| Meal | Usual time |
|---|---|
| Breakfast | 8:30-9:00 am (bars open around 7:00-8:00 am) |
| Lunch | 1:30-3:30 pm (many kitchens open until 4 pm) |
| Dinner | From 8:30 pm; most common 9:00-10:30 pm |
In summer people eat later. Bars in the centre are often open past midnight, especially at weekends. Hours vary from place to place: if you are hungry out of hours, look for a bar serving raciones or tapas.
What the menú del día is and how to find it
It is a fixed-price meal with a first course, a main, dessert or coffee and a drink. It is usually served at lunchtime on weekdays. Look for a board saying «Menú del día» at the door. According to the travel guides we read, the price is often around €12-18 in the neighbourhoods; this is a rough guide, not official data.
Tourist traps: how to avoid them
- Walk three or four streets away from Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol: prices go down and quality goes up.
- Be wary of menus with photos and of anyone who invites you in from the street.
- A restaurant serving dinner at 7 pm is usually only for tourists.
- Standing at the bar often costs less than a table or terrace.
- Read the menu and prices before sitting down, and ask for an itemised bill.
Arriving at odd hours? Here is what is open overnight
If you arrive at night, see our guide to where to eat in Madrid in the early hours.
A plan that mixes food and sightseeing
If you want to try tapas with someone who knows the city, see our 4-hour tuk tuk tour with tapas, which includes three tapas-and-drink stops.
Frequently asked questions
What time is dinner in Madrid?
Usually between 9:00 and 10:30 pm, although some places serve from 8:30 pm.
What time is lunch in Madrid?
Between 1:30 and 3:30 pm; many kitchens close around 4 pm.
What is the menú del día?
A fixed-price meal with a first course, a main, dessert or coffee and a drink, mostly at lunchtime on weekdays.
Is eating at Plaza Mayor expensive?
It is usually pricier and lower quality than three or four streets away, according to the guides we read.
Sources
Facts and prices checked on 18 October 2026. They can change: confirm them with the official source before you travel.